Episode 100 of the Lekker Rugby Pod has landed — and yes, it’s audio only thanks to a mischievous little gremlin in our tech setup. But that doesn’t matter, because this milestone episode is all about separating fact from fiction when it comes to Rassie Erasmus!Harry and MW roll up their sleeves and take on the myths, the conspiracy theories, and the half-baked hot takes swirling around South Africa’s most polarising (and possibly most misunderstood) rugby figure. And then, of course, there’s Matt Williams — the Australian pundit who seems to have turned Rassie-bashing into a business model. Harry pulls apart the hypocrisy, the selective memory, and the theatrics, while MW adds the context that shows just how far off the mark the critics can be. From the Lions Tour that COVID strangled, to transformation in rugby, to referee controversies that refuse to die, the pair set the record straight with wit, honesty, and just the right amount of mischief. It’s smart rugby talk with a healthy dose of banter — a perfect way to mark 100 episodes of being unapologetically Lekker!

In Episode 99 of the Lekker Rugby Pod, MW and Harry take a deep dive into the Springbok team that Rassie Erasmus has named for the opening test of the Rugby Championship against Australia. This isn’t just another team sheet - it’s a line-up that raises questions about whether Rassie is moving towards a bold new selection philosophy. Is he crafting a side specifically designed for each opponent and each weekend, or is this simply the latest example of his trademark tactical mind games?MW was in the room for the official team announcement press conference and shares first-hand impressions of Rassie’s mood, his body language, and the subtle hints hidden in his answers. Harry breaks down the possible thinking behind the most surprising inclusions in the starting XV, analysing how each pick could influence the Springboks’ attacking and defensive shape against the Wallabies. Together they explore how this selection might set the tone for the rest of the Rugby Championship, what it could mean for player rotation, and whether it’s a trial run for combinations Rassie wants to unleash on bigger stages in the future.From analysing individual match-ups to debating whether Australia will take the bait, this episode blends inside access, tactical breakdowns, and plenty of rugby banter. Whether you think Rassie is experimenting for the long term or simply outfoxing the opposition in the here and now, one thing is certain -the Springboks are never boring under Rassie Erasmus!Join the debate in the comments and tell us how you’d have picked the team. Subscribe for more Springbok rugby insight, behind-the-scenes stories, and unapologetic Bok banter

Episode 98 of The Lekker Rugby Pod is a masterclass in calm - and not the boring kind. Johann van Graan, who just coached Bath Rugby to three trophies in nine weeks, joins MW Welman and Harry Jones for a conversation that’s anything but typical.This is a man who doesn’t do headlines - he does handwritten notes. Who doesn’t yell - he listens. Who doesn’t chase hype - he builds systems, cultures, and quietly ruthless squads. And somehow, it works.We dig into Johann’s Pretoria roots, his deep connection to Loftus Versfeld, and how the quiet values he picked up there shaped his coaching path - from the Bulls to Munster to Bath. MW finds a deep personal kinship: same city, same language, same rugby obsession - though maybe not quite the same coaching CV.Harry, as always, brings the heat: What actually changed at Bath? What do Lee Blackett and JP Ferreira bring to the team? Why does this squad now believe they’re meant to win? And how does Johann stay so calm and collected, even in a Twickenham final?We also get personal. Johann opens up about journaling, emotional control, and what he’s learned over a 23-year career at the top. His motto? “Never too high, never too low.” And he lives it - from trophies to setbacks, from Loftus to The Rec.If you want to understand leadership in modern rugby (or just hear three rugby nerds go deep on what makes a coach truly world-class) this one’s unmissable.

The North–South rivalry lit up the Lekker Rugby Pod as Stormers Head Coach John Dobson sat down with Harry Jones and MW Welman for what might be our best episode yet. Harry brought the Cape Town fanboy energy, MW played the northern counterpunch, and Dobbo delivered — opening up on life as one of South Africa’s top rugby coaches, the unique rugby culture of the Western Cape, and why the Stormers’ Champions Cup dream is locked on for 2029.Dobson reflects on career-defining moments, from his deep ties to UCT and the Cape Flats, to why he’s committed to staying local rather than chasing overseas coaching roles. He lifts the lid on the tactics, talent, and team-building that have made the Stormers a force in the United Rugby Championship — and explains what truly separates them from their fierce rivals, the Bulls. With stories ranging from pub crawls to player psychology, hydration science to tactical substitutions, Dobbo shows why he’s one of the most thoughtful and candid minds in rugby today.

In Episode 96 of The Lekker Rugby Pod, Harry Jones teams up with sports analyst Angus Usher, known as @AnalystGus on X, to pull back the curtain on Rassie Erasmus’s brilliant and often overlooked masterplan to build an unstoppable Springbok machine. Through deep data analysis, expert squad rotation insights, and a focus on developing versatile utility players, Angus reveals how Rassie is engineering unmatched depth to target a historic 2025 trifecta — beating the All Blacks at Eden Park, France at Stade de France, and Ireland at Aviva Stadium — while relentlessly building toward Rugby World Cup 2027 glory. This isn’t just short-term tactics; it’s rugby genius decoded, blending immediate ambitions with a long-term vision. From spotting hidden future stars to unlocking tactical secrets, this episode uncovers the bold moves and clever innovations keeping the Boks perpetually ahead of the competition!

Johan Ackermann is back in Pretoria — and the Vodacom Bulls are in safe hands. In this Lekker Rugby Pod exclusive, hosted by MW Welman and Harry Jones, Ackermann reflects on a coaching journey that has come full circle: from his formative years on the Police College fields, through Super Rugby finals with the Lions, to seasons abroad in Gloucester and Japan — and now, back home at Loftus.In a composed and open conversation, Ackermann speaks about the type of rugby he hopes to bring to Pretoria — physical, modern, and smart. Here and there, we catch glimpses of an attacking mindset that promises to inject fresh energy into the Bulls' game. He also tackles some of the big questions head-on: how he plans to build trust with the players, where the assistants fit in, and how he'll balance continuity with change.Rather than sweeping statements, this is a grounded and honest look at the road ahead — and a clear signal to Bulls fans that their team’s future is in good, steady hands.Only on the Lekker Rugby Pod. Powered by Megafoon Rugby!

The Springboks’ squad for the Wallabies isn’t the full-strength arsenal — and that’s exactly the point.In Episode 94 of The Lekker Rugby Pod, MW and Harry unpack why this selection is about minutes, not medals. It’s a calculated step in a bigger marathon. With two games against Australia up first, this is the moment for fringe players to prove they belong and for the coaching staff to fine-tune combinations before the real tests begin.Because make no mistake — this season’s spine is brutal: All Blacks at Eden Park, France in Paris, Ireland in Dublin. Every move now is about being ready for those three monsters. That means no rush on Pollard, Faf, Arendse, or Kolisi. It means time in the saddle for guys like Jean-Luc du Preez, Ethan Hooker, and Quan Horn. And it means taking some smart risks with combinations in the midfield and back three.We also get into the logic behind the squad’s balance, the myth of “too much youth”, and the quiet genius of getting form players battle-ready without peaking too soon. And we end, of course, with the big hypothetical: if your life depended on a Bok win at Eden Park, who would start?Less drama, more clarity. This is a proper Springbok selection breakdown — from the inside out. Watch now on Megafoon Rugby!

Episode 93 of The Lekker Rugby Pod is a story told across time. From the traditions and test matches of the 1980 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, through to the challenges of modern rugby and the road to Australia 2025, this is a conversation that spans decades—and generations.MW Welman hosts a special conversation between legendary Lions scrumhalf John Robbie and rugby wordsmith Harry Jones. With stories from Loftus Versfeld, Bournemouth bonding weekends, and childhood dreams of Lions heroes, this episode lives in the nostalgia of rugby’s amateur spirit while probing the evolution of the game as we know it today.They reflect on the leadership of Bill Beaumont, the quiet regrets of touring apartheid South Africa, and the deep cultural connection players once had to their jerseys. But it’s not just about the past—this is also a reckoning with the present. How do modern tactics, professional pressures, and political narratives shape the Lions? Are we losing the soul of the game in the pursuit of perfection?From personal reflections and small-world rugby coincidences to thoughtful projections about where the sport is going, this episode is a journey through the Lions—past, present, and future. Honest, rich, and emotional.